Dec. 13-19

The students in room 21 have been working hard on a wide variety of activities. In math we've been studying geometry, including measuring angles, creating triangles and identifying shapes, based on various properties. In language the students have finished their literature circle novel and groups are now working on a dramatic presentation of a scene from their novel. The students have also finished rough drafts of their individual assignment. Final copies are due next week. In social studies we have been working on mapping. The grade 5's reviewed continents, oceans, provinces and capital cities before moving forward. Today we listened to the Stompin' Tom song "Capitals" to help solidify the information. Here's the Youtube link for that song to watch at home.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjgOQDUOGAg

Grade 6's have been working on learning lines of longitude and latitude and using the coordinate system. The students have also been working on a culminating science, social studies and language project, creating a pamplet after researching either a health topic in Canada (gr. 5) or an environmental issue in the world (gr. 6). In art we have been focusing on line, and will be moving on to the concept of rhythm in the new year. 

I also sent home information with the grade 6's today regarding grade 7 options, including extended French at Glen Ames and optional schools. I explained to the students today that the extended French program is a great program for those who are motivated to learn in French for half the day, and are comfortable with taking risks academically. At this age, students must be motivated to attend the program. The core English program at Glen Ames is also excellent, and I wouldn't disuade anyone from applying to either. I taught grade 8 core at Glen Ames for 5 years and thoroughly enjoyed my students and the program. This can be a difficult decision to make, but, ultimately, it's important that students have a voice in which program they attend. 

This week's homework is as follows:

Complete the final draft of the literature circle project, which is due on Wednesday, Dec. 18. The components are as follows: a persuasive paragraph, 5 quotes, explained and a new cover. Please refer to the assignment handout and rubric for more details. 

Best,
Bronwyn Davidson

Dec. 6- Dec. 13

This week's homework is as follows:

Daily:

• reading for at least 20 minutes (literature circle book or own book)

• times table practice: 12 times tables and review all others

Divide up during the week:

• math- geometry

• cursive
• literature circle assignment: rough draft is due Thursday, the 12th, final draft is due Wednesday the 18th

Dates to remember:
Monday: last literature circle meeting; novel is finished
Thursday: homework due,  
Friday: pool and library

Sorry for the brevity this week; I'm at home sick. I hope that I didn't spread my germs to anyone on Thursday. 

Best,
Bronwyn Davidson

Nov. 29th-Dec. 6

This week the students continued with their literature circles, examining a novel together and coming together in a small group to discuss the novel. We have also begun a research project that combines social studies, science and language. The grade 5's are researching a health issue that effects Canadians, while the grade 6's are researching an environmental issue that effects the world. In social studies we have also learned about the levels of government, and maps for the grade 6's. In math we began studying geometry, looking at different shapes and measuring angles with a protractor. 

Two pieces of work came back this week: a math test on patterning and a persuasive paragraph. Please take a minute to talk to your child and reflect on their understanding of the concepts. Part of this week's homework addresses a need that I noticed in the students' writing: many students need to create more varied, complex sentences with stronger word choices. 

A reminder that next Friday is the Willy craft sale. Please send in your donations ASAP. As well, I will be taking the students to Malvern High School on Thursday the 5th to watch their concert from 1:30-2:30. If any parent would like to come with us, you're more than welcome. Please email me if you're able to join us. We'll be leaving just after lunch. The Malvern students put on a fabulous show, and it's inspring to see what our former Willy grads are now able to do!

This week's homework is as follows:

Daily:

• typing practice

• reading for at least 20 minutes (literature circle book or own book)

• times table practice: 12 times tables and review all others

Divide up during the week:

• vocabulary enrichment ( a dictionary is needed)

• cloze activity- fill in the blank with the most appropriate word

• creating more varied sentences

• math- geometry

• cursive

Dates to remember:
Monday: literature circle meeting
Thursday: homework due,  literature circle meeting, walking trip to Malvern concert 1:30-2:30
Friday: pool and library, craft sale

Best,
Bronwyn Davidson

Nov 22-28

This week we began literature circles in language, which is similar to a small book club. Students chose books to read from a group of books, and are in a group of 4-6 students. The groups will meet every Monday and Thursday to discuss their reading and to fulfill a role within the group. Students need to come prepared to each meeting with the book read to the agreed upon page and their role sheet filled out. 

Here is the homework for the week:

Daily:

• typing practice
• reading for at least 20 minutes (literature circle book or own book)
• times table practice: the 10 and 11 times tables- easy!!

Divide up during the week:

• antonyms and synonyms
• cloze activity- fill in the blank with the most appropriate word
• spelling- silent letters; semicolon worksheet
• math- patterning
• cursive

Dates to remember: 

Monday: literature circle meeting

Tuesday: math quiz on patterning

Thursday: homework due and literature circle meeting

Friday: pool and library

Best,

Bronwyn Davidson

Nov. 14-21

Thank you to all parents for coming to the student-led conferences this week. The students did a really good job of evaluating themselves and presenting, which are both complex skills. 

All week the students were engaged in a great deal of self reflection and self evaluation, which I believe is very important to growth and learning. They continued to prepare for their student-led interviews, evaluated and examined their success on the CASI test, which is a reading comprehension test, and evaluated their own persuasive paragraphs. I have been very impressed with the students' abilities to accurately access their strengths and weaknesses, and also their ability to address next steps.

This week we looked at the CASI exemplars, and noticed the differences between level 1, 2, 3 and 4 answers. The class reflected that by adding more details from the text they could have written better answers. We also discovered that, as a class, they needed more work on antonyms, synonyms, the parts of speech and punctuation. This will continue to be a focus in class and in homework.

This week's homework is as follows:

Daily:

• read for at least 20 minutes. I cannot overemphasise the importance of this! Students, take a minute to talk about your reading, make connections, predictions and wonder. Remember that reading is thinking. 
• continue to practise typing
• practise the 9 times tables and review 2-8

Divide up during the week:

• math patterning
• synonyms and antonyms worksheet
• cursive practice
• cloze activity- fill in the blanks with words that make sense

Remember, practise and persist! :-)

Best,

Bronwyn Davidson

Nov 8-14

This week the students prepared for their upcoming student-led interviews by reflecting on their strengths and needs as learners and by preparing notes and a portfolio for their interview. They have also been working on persuasive paragraphs, which they brought home to finish as a final copy for Tuesday. 

Today we looked at an interesting graph and map, that I've shared below, on math success in various countries and provinces. After some reading and investigation, we discovered that the students in countries that do better than Ontario in math do so because 1) they practice basic skills more and 2) they persist longer with problems. 

Following today's lesson I created this chart for the class:

Students, here is the homework for the week:

Daily:
- practise the 9 times tables and review all others
- read daily for at least 20 minutes
- practise typing for 5-10 minutes (ensure that you are using proper form, so that you have a chance of beating me on Nitro Type ;-)  )

Divide up during the week:
- finish final copy of persuasive paragraph (due Tuesday)
- math patterning
- capitalization practice ( a simple, yet necessary review)
- reading comprehension and vocabulary work- Remembrance Day theme
- cursive

Practise, practise, practise and persist. :-)

Best,
Bronwyn Davidson

Nov 1- 7

This week we have continued our work in science. The grade 5's have begun creating life sized drawings of the skeletal system and will be drawing the digestive system next week. The grade 6's went outside to classify deciduous and coniferous trees on the Willy property. They also began a web quest on biodiversity. They asked some great, level 4 questions, like, "Are humans an invasive species?" We'll continue to investigate more next week.

In language we're working on writing persuasively, and applying the "COPS" editing strategy, remembering to check for capitalization, organization, including transition words, punctuation and spelling. In math we're practising patterning, and looking at different types of patterns in math.

The students have also created some beautiful, fall themed watercolours that focus on the concept of line. They began by drawing with glue and allowing it to dry, which created strong lines and interesting texture.

This week's homework went home today. Students, here is the work for the week:

Daily:

• typing practice
• reading for at least 20 minutes
• times table practice: the 8 times tables

Divide up during the week:

• mad libs
• the use of commas
• reading comprehension and vocabulary work- thinking forward to Remembrance Day
• math patterning

Best,

Bronwyn Davidson

Happy Halloween!

Thanks to everyone for their contributions to today's Halloween party. We had a great day!

Halloween!

This Thursday the entire school will have a Halloween Parade at 1PM. If the weather is nice, we will parade around the block starting at 1PM. For those of you who are new to the school, it's quite the spectacle! In the case of rain, the parade will take place inside the school, and students will parade from floor to floor.

In room 21 we will have a Halloween Party, and I'm asking students to bring in board games and snacks. This time around, I'd like to ask grade 5's to bring in board games for the day, and grade 6's to bring snacks. For the next party we'll switch. Grade 6 parents, if this week is simply too busy to organise a snack, please don't worry; it's just an extra. 

I'd like to stick with mostly healthy snacks. Here are some examples of things to send if you're able:

- cut up fruit

- veggies

- cheese

- crackers

- baked goods

Thank you very much for your support!

Best,

Bronwyn Davidson

Oct. 24-31

It's hard to believe that we're nearing the end of October! Cooper and Ethan did a great job of summing up the week in today's earlier blog. 

This week's homework is as follows:

Daily:
- read for at least 20 minutes
- typing practice for 5-10 minutes daily
- practise the 8 times tables; review the 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 times tables. For those who want a times table challenge, try http://www.multiplication.com/games/play/grand-prix. 

Divide this up during the week:
- math patterning practice
- cursive practice
- spelling worksheet
- mad libs (to practise the parts of speech in a fun way)

Best,
Bronwyn Davidson

This week

This week in room 21,we did many interesting things. We had a long division and BEDMAS test, we did our casi. We also did persuasive writing and science. The grade 5's learned about the digestive system and the grade 6's learned how to classify animals. We learned how to do blind contour drawing. We had a French dictee as well. James Edgar and the grade 6 boys cross country runners placed 3rd in the city finals! And Ethan did his great book chat on the House of Hades!!!!!

Cooper and Ethan

Oct 18-24th

We've had a short but productive week! The grade 5's have begun to study the human body and the grade 6's biodiversity. We are wrapping up our poetry unit by publishing our best 4 poems and presenting our poems at our class' poetry cafe tomorrow. We have continued to work on division in math, and the students are getting more confident with their times tables and with word problems. There will be a quiz on long division, multiplication and order of operations next week.

Students, this week's homework is as follows:

Daily:
- read for at least 20 minutes
- practice the 7 times tables; review the 3, 4, 5 and 6 times tables

Divide this up during the week:
- math word problems- These are multi-step problems. Take your time and think them through!
- cursive practice
- editing worksheet

Go to the following websites to play fun science games that will help you understand the concepts taught in class:

Grade 6's:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks2/science/living_things/variation/play/

Grade 5's:
http://www.childrensuniversity.manchester.ac.uk/interactives/science/bodyandmedicine/theskeleton/

Best,
Bronwyn Davidson

Happy Thanksgiving!

This picture is a message for all my students this weekend; I saw it and thought of you all. :-)

Parents, I also wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving, and thank you for your ongoing support. We did community circle on Wednesday and talked about what we were thankful for; hopefully your child will share his/her thoughts with you this weekend. I was inspired to hear the students talk about being thankful for family, our country, food, their health, and friends.

Best,
Bronwyn Davidson

Homework Oct 10th- Oct17th

On Friday, Oct. 18th we will celebrate our poetry writing by having a poetry cafe in class. Parents, you are invited to attend if you are able. Students will be reading their poems aloud and are also invited to bring portable instruments, like a guitar, or they can also sing. 

Here are some important dates for this upcoming week:

Thursday, Oct. 10th: cross country meet at Ashbridges Bay
Friday, Oct. 11th:  PA day
Monday, Oct. 14th: Thanksgiving
Thursday, Oct. 17th: homework due
Friday, Oct. 18th: rm 11 poetry cafe 9:20-11:25
Friday, Oct. 18th: picture day 



This week's homework will go out today, Wednesday, and will be due back on the usual day, next Thursday.

The homework for this week is as follows:
Daily: 

• Do 10 minutes of typing practice per day. Use the link on the blog, or a different program if preferred.
• Read independently for at least 20 minutes a day. This is like brushing your teeth: you must fit it into your daily schedule! 
• Practice the 6 times tables and review 3, 4 and 5 if they are not yet automatic. 

Divide up the following work during the week:

• Complete the cursive sheets

• Complete the division math work. 

• Choose 4 poems from your language folder that you feel are your best work. Revise and edit them, using the method that we learned in class. In particular, pay attention to spelling. Final published poems are to be typed out or hand written on plain white paper. You language folder and published poems will be collected on Thursday. Make sure to leave your rough drafts in your folder because I want to see your complete body of work.
• Finish your compare and contrast paragraph on Terry Fox and Craig Keilburger if you haven't handed it in yet. 
• Practice reading your poem(s) with expression for our poetry cafe next Friday!

Best,

Bronwyn Davidson

Homework Oct 4th-9th

This week I was very impressed with the students' interest in, and ability to use the poetic device personification. The students were also introduced to the concept of literature circles this week, which is similar to an adult book club. Students were assigned roles within a group and spent time talking about a poem called, "The City is So Big." This kind of accountable talk helps students deepen their understanding of texts and allows them to share their understanding and questions. Tomorrow students will have a chance to share poems that they have written this week, in which they have used personification. 

We also watched a grade 6 poetry slam today and have begun to write poems that speak out about an issue of importance. Here is a link to that video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FtpmU61RQE. 


Students, this week's homework will be due a day early (Wednesday, Oct. 9th), as I will be out of the school on the 10th with our cross country team at Ashbridges Bay. Go Willy! Friday is a PA day.

 The homework for this week is as follows:

Daily: 

• Do 10 minutes of typing practice per day. Use the link on the blog, or a different program if preferred.
• Read independently for at least 20 minutes a day. This is like brushing your teeth: you must fit it into your daily schedule! 
• Practice the 5 timestables and review 3 and 4 if they are not yet automatic. 

Divide up the following work during the week:

• Complete the cursive sheets

• Complete the spelling work; some of these word puzzles may be tricky, but try your best!

• Complete the division math work. 

• Poetry: instructions are included in the folder. Find a poem from a book or online that appeals to you, print or write it out, and explain in paragraph form why you like it. Be prepared to talk about it in class.

Best,

Bronwyn Davidson

week 5

We were working on Picasso art work.  We also went on a Terry Fox walk to the beach and back to the school.  It was very fun.  We are working on lattice multiplying.  For the Picasso art work we drew a picture without looking and coloured it with pastel. In music we are working on dances about what we love in Canada.  In French we are working on doing a cross word puzzle and making one.  In gym we just finished working on baseball and now we are working on rugby.  We also had a math test.  We have also done Josie's book chat.   Now some grade 6's who want to get to do the announcements!!!!!!!!!!!!!



                                                         bye!!!!!  by:Ava Bartley and Kevin Park!!!!!!!!

Week 4

We've had a busy week! In social studies we've been delving into social justice issues and the connections between issues in both Canada and the world. We have been looking at two heroes, Terry Fox and Craig Kielburger, and how they've both affected change in different areas.

In math we've been continuing to work on multiplying multi-digit numbers. The students now know 3 different strategies to solve these problems and can use whichever they prefer. We will be moving on to order of operations for grade 6's and long division for both grades. Students have also done "mad math minutes" of only the 3 timestables and have graphed their progress. Next week we will do the same for the 4 timestables.

In language we have continued our work in poetry, learning about metaphors and similes, and explored the structures of haiku and diamante poems. Next week we will pull together social studies and poetry and look at how writers can speak out against an injustice through their writing.

Next week's homework is as follows:

1) Do 10 minutes of typing practice per day. Use the link on the blog, or a different program if preferred.
2) Complete the cursive sheets
3) Read the spelling strategies then complete the editing worksheet.
4) Complete the multiplication math work. Students can use any strategy to multiply- traditional, lattice or place value.
5) Read the poem that uses personification and answer the questions. Illustrate your vision of the poem.
6) Read independently for at least 20 minutes a day.
7) Practise the 4 timestables and memorize them. Review the 3 timestables if they're not memorized yet.

Best,
Bronwyn Davidson

Terry Fox walk

week 3

Thank you to all parents who came out to the BBQ and curriculum night. It was great to see so many parents in the room, and the students really enjoyed re-reading the messages of encouragment today that you left for them.

A few notes on upcoming events:

• Book fair purchases can be made on Thursday. (Send money with your child to purchase books)
• Our first math tests will be returned Thursday. Please sign the test and return it. This will help give you an indication of how things are going in math. 
• Homework folders will be sent home on Friday, to be returned, completed, the following Thursday.

As outlined in the homework policy sent home on the first day of school, there are many purposes for homework. It will be used to review concepts, practice skills, and teach time management skills. You can help your child be successful by helping them manage their time each day and weekly. Also, provide a quiet place to study and be available for questions. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at msbronwyndavidson@gmail.com.

This week’s homework:

1)   Read “Words at Play” and complete p. 8.

2)   Write a poem that rhymes on any topic, in any form. Remember a title!

3)   Complete “Multiplying 2-digit numbers” in math.

4)   Complete the cursive sheets.

5)   Go to the class website, then to the typing practice link. Practise for 10 minutes each day.

6)   As always, read for at least 20 minutes each day and practise timestables.

Best,

Bronwyn Davidson

Week 2 part 2

This week we were working on Aursmas. So you know an Aurasma is a sort of video app that brings pictures to life. We have been working on making our own. In the first week we have drawn an icon or a logo that described us and attached a Aurasma to it.

Students have been assigned a "book chat". A book chat is a time when a student or teacher talks about one book of their choice. They have chosen a time in either September or October to do so. They must be equipped with the writing and a picture of their books cover.

This week we have also been working on poetry. They have done a rule poem using one of the 5 rules of poetry, an I Am Poem, and a Limmeric Poem.

Yesterday we talked about cooperation. " What impact do our choices have?", " Why is it important to cooperate with others?", " Do all conflicts have resolutions?", and " What causes conflict?" Are questions that we have been talking about.

Thank you

Rebecca and Liam room 21

Week 2

This week we will continue our work on our arausmas, using the set of school ipads. This is a great opportunity for some students to use their strengths in technology to help others. I'm enjoying getting to know the strengths of the students through this project, as it involves visual art, writing, reading, speaking, all with the use of technology. It has also helped me to understand the learning needs of students in the room.

In language we have begun a unit on poetry. The students created and presented group poems, many incorporating elements from music class, which I was thrilled to see, as an Orff-trained music teacher. We read many poems today that illustrated the "rules" of poetry. Please ask your child to tell you some of them.

In math we have begun a unit on number sense and numeration. Any unfinished class work will be assigned as homework. You can help your child immensely by ensuring that he/she knows his/her multiplication tables. Even 5 minutes of practice a day will help.

As always, please contact me if you have any questions, concerns or information at msbronwyndavidson@gmail.com.

Best,
Bronwyn

Updates and an interesting article on student success.

Over the last couple of days we have continued our Tribes work of getting to know each other and cooperate as community members. Today we learned about the roles that people play in groups. Please ask your child what role he/she thinks that they play in a group and if it's a positive or negative role. If it's negative, what different role could they take?

Yesterday and today we also learned about logos, icons and aurasmas. Please ask your child to explain these concepts to you. The students' logos, icons and aurasmas will be on display for you to see at the BBQ on September 17th. Between now and then, please download the free app "Aurasma" on your device (phone or ipad) so that you can view their work. I'll have extra devices on hand at school that night too.

Lastly, in doing some research on student success, I came across an interesting article that I thought parents might find useful. As a teacher and parent it certainly made me think.

http://growingleaders.com/blog/student-success/

Best,
Bronwyn Davidson

First day of school!

We had a great first day at school, getting to know each other and learning classroom rules and routines. The students learned our community agreements, so please ask your child what they are.

The school info package was sent home with your child. Please send it back completed ASAP. Also, I gave an agenda to each child. Please send $7 to cover the cost. I'll be sending home a letter to parents tomorrow.

As for homework, students will use the agenda to record any work that they need to finish or work on at home. In addition, please ensure that your child reads at home for at least 20 minutes daily.

I look forward to a wonderful year of learning and growing together.

Best,
Ms. Davidson

Welcome!

Welcome to rm 21's blog! I hope you're having a great summer. Students, check out the links at the side and have fun practicing and keeping up your skills. Create your avatar on Bitstrips and make a comic- maybe about your summer adventures! Parents, I look forward to working as a team with you to help your child grow and succeed.

Best,
Ms. Davidson